tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79445015334524225322018-03-06T08:58:13.889-08:00So, this one time...Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-77552085618211019332012-01-01T12:33:00.000-08:002012-01-01T13:03:01.147-08:00It's January 1stYou know what that means! Time write a generic post about goals and stuff! Actually, I will try my very best not to do that thing. It may have something to do with goals, but I will try to make it as original and non-generic as possible. <div>With it being the start of a new year one hears a lot of talk about resolutions and goals. Things that were great and not so great about the past year and hopes and aspirations for the year to come. While this is all well and good (and believe me, I am just as guilty as the next person of doing these very things) I sometimes wonder if people use things like New Years as an excuse to avoid change. Change is hard and can be down right unpleasant. It means you have to stretch and grow in some way. As humans, we cling to what is familiar and comfortable. For example, in experiences living abroad, on those rare, happy moments when I come across what could very well be the only jar of peanut butter in all of Ukraine, I was willing to pay just about anything to get it. Not because it was a peanut butter laced with gold but simply because in this situation where everything was SO different from what I knew (especially the food) I wanted that tiny jar of familiarity.<div>I wonder then, if that is why we are so reluctant to change. Why we wait until New Years to resolve to be better. What's wrong with any given Wednesday? If you want to change, do it. All that really matters is that once you make that resolution, whenever it may be, that you mean it an that you stick to it. That the change is real and lasting. However, if you are like me and you fall back into old habits or patterns rather easily, don't wait a whole year to start over. Take a deep breath, evaluate your life, and begin again. That is the beauty of our ability to choose. We can always make the choice to begin again at any time. Oh how grateful I am for that principle!</div><div>So this year, don't be discouraged if you miss that day of exercising that you had promised yourself you would do. Begin again. If you get a B when you had resolved to get a 4.0, as long as you gave it your best effort, move on and be content. </div></div><div>As for the coming year, in the words of a very wise man, Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Come what may and love it!" That is exactly what I intend to do. Have a super 2012!</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tVNYhcYEwIE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-82128273270330193342011-10-23T12:34:00.000-07:002011-10-23T23:41:23.167-07:00For Alicia, in Mexico-landLook, Alicia, I'm making a blog post! Cool, huh? Remember that one time when this blog was updated on a weekly basis? I remember that. It hasn't happened that way in quite some time. It's hard to write when you feel you have nothing to say. However, I have a lot to say.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div>After the recent conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was reminded that today's technology can be used for oh so many things, including the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people in my life are SO good about doing this very thing that I have become inspired by their examples. I am going to regularly update this bloggy-thing and share experiences that I have in my little life that strengthen my testimony of the Savior. Also, I may just share some deets about my life. What's new and all of that jazz.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, can I just tell you about an experience I had in my French class a few weeks ago? I can? Ok, good. I was going to anyway... Let me set for you the stage. I attend to a tiny college in the middle of nothing in the desert of eastern Arizona. I HEART said college! It's a dandy little place. Well, at this place of magic that is Eastern Arizona College, I study languages. As part of that I am in a French class. Because this school is so little the French 101 and 102 classes are combined making a grand total of maybe 20 students. In my 102 class there are 3 of us. Yup, 3. Because there are fewer of us we are normally put in the class room next-door and while the professor is teaching the larger 101 class we are being taught by one of three fellows. Martin (Actually from France and is attending EAC on a tennis scholarship. How random is that?), Caylon (served his mission in France and is a Mr. Smarty-pants-know-it-all.), or Marcus (has gone through the French program here at EA and teaches our class 2 days a week as part of a work-study job). Now to describe m classmates. All 2 of them. First is Brittany. She is the sister of Marcus and just sweet as pie! We were in 101 together and got to know each other pretty well. She's a good kid, I like her. Gold star for Brittany. Next is Brandon. Oh, how to describe Brandon? He was born in France but raised in New Mexico. This essentially mean that he speaks perfect French but has not the foggiest of idea how to read or write in it. He's a funny boy, but he's...well...an 18 year old kid on his own for the first time. He comes in hung over or smelling of pot quite a bit. He's a really nice boy but he has some struggles. Whew, that was quite the setting of the stage. Now, on to the story.</div><div><br /></div><div>The topic of religion comes up rather frequently in this little trio. It started with Brandon always wanting to know why I'm wearing a dress on Tuesdays. I explain that it is because I have a little church meeting at the institute on Tuesdays called devotional. He is welcome to come with me any time he would like. "No Brandon, you don't have to wear a tie..." The next time Brandon asks if I'm a Mormon. "Yup, sure am." Then he asks Brittany if she is also a Mormon. "No Brandon, I'm a Christian." is the response. Like a knife to the heart. I explain to them, "Hey, Mormons are Christians too..." To which I receive a "Yeah, ok..." from Brittany. Ouch.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was all about a week before the whole "Mitt Romney are Mormons a cult?" fiasco. I am here to tell you that members of the Church Of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) are indeed Christians. I know that Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that salvation comes in and through Him. I know this. I know the Bible to be the word of God. I know that God is my loving Father in heaven who sent His son to atone for my sins. If this does not define Christianity, then I just don't know what does. My name is Anna Elmer. I am a Mormon. I am a Christian. They are one and the same.</div></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-2126885050514290082010-12-03T18:20:00.000-08:002010-12-03T20:07:54.401-08:00Nuggets of Knowledge<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0nDOJbPq4DwsC_vZwGlbOLqvo8ZG4JEZCK9cUXq-rmUpfTFb2" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 199px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Don't be mislead by the title, it's not <b>real</b> knowledge. Certainly nothing that can be used on a trivia game show. These are just a few...shall we call them realizations? Perhaps some are re-realizations.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1) I am not dedicated or focused enough to be a person that prefers online classes. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">It's true. I have found this semester that there are two types of people in this college going world; those who like online classes and those who hate them and think they are burning out their brain with the amount of time that must be expended in front of a computer screen to pass them. Turns out I am one of the latter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2) I LOVE when worlds collide!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I live multiple lives. That's right, I am a clandestine government agent. Ok, probably not. What I mean is I have these different places or times that I associate (and maybe compartmentalize) people with. For example, there are my friends from Eagar, the ones I grew up with and have known forever. Then there are my friends from college, friends from Mexico (not necessarily Mexican, that is just where I met them and we came to be friends), friends from my EFY life, Ukraine, etc. I have a friend (from college, in case you were wondering) who hates "when worlds collide". I have had a lot of world collisions over the past few months and realize that I love it! When my friend I met in Mexico meets my cousin in Alaska, or when a college homie meets hometown friends. </span></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TPm42WjWnKI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tSfzkEynlvg/s400/100_1539.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546667659989785762" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At first it tends to be slightly awkward because they both know a few things about one another without realizing it yet. College friend has heard adventures from my life with Eagar friend and vice versa. Then it gets great! That is, until they start exchanging embarrassing stories about me because I am the link between them... Pictured is world collision. Karen (college) meets Liz, Alicia and Kassandra (Mexico) and it was marvelous!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3) Bitterness is an unproductive emotion</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes "life gives you lemons" as the phrase goes. Truly there are just the two outcomes. Accept it, move on or let it fester and become embittered. You can always choose. Always. With that being said, why let yourself choose the second option? "Don't allow yourself to become discouraged. Sure, you are allowed to be disappointed...for about 3 seconds. Then, move on and move up." -A speaker from my MTC time whose name I cannot recall at this exact moment. It doesn't really matter who said it, it just matters that it is good solid advice. Plus, lemons shouldn't make people bitter, maybe sour or even zesty, but not bitter.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">4) Think with an "eternal perspective"</span></span></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TPm3_R8sI9I/AAAAAAAAADk/sBt3R9n5ItA/s400/100_1530.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546666713861071826" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's amazing how often people sweat the small stuff. Really, just take a step back and think "Will this have an effect on my eternal salvation?" More often than not, the answer for me is "no". So, why get SO caught up in it? Do what you feel it right and own the decision.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5) Live in the moment.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It seems contradictory to number 4, huh? It really isn't. This time, right now, will never happen exactly the same again, not for the rest of forever. Even if you are not in your ideal situation, live it and love it. Don't live too much in the past or the future, it will rob you of the here and now. I know it sound so <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">cliché, but perhaps there is a reason that certain phrases or ideas are repeated SO very often. They are real and there is not a single human life that isn't affected by it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">6)Finally, just because <b>can</b> do something, doesn't mean you should. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">For example, I can eat taquitos and rocky road ice cream for dinner, that doesn't make it a good idea. Take it from me, it really is not a good idea. I can sleep in until 10 every morning, but that doesn't mean I should. I can be a hypocrite and not take any of my own advice and try to recapture the past and be bitter when the plans I have for my life get turned upside down, but that doesn't mean I will. It also doesn't mean I haven't. In all honesty I am putting this stinkin' post up in the hopes that someone will benefit from my foolishness. Even if it is just a future me who has fallen back into bad habits.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-56423418633982551592010-08-13T23:19:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:16:27.409-07:00Cosmic Thoughts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TGZCnUqFSqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/PJRj8EvMizU/s1600/Meteor.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 231px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TGZCnUqFSqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/PJRj8EvMizU/s400/Meteor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505160837834558114" /></a><br />Well, last night I decided to let my inner nerd out and stay up to watch a meteor shower. I had never experienced this thing before and I figured, "Aw heck, why not!" As I stood on my sister's porch alone, gazing up into the heavens I was struck by a few thoughts.<div>At first I felt the typical, "the universe is so huge and I am just one insignificant nothing in the grand scheme of things...blah blah blah" However, my perspective began to shift when I realized that, although the universe is grand and vast and I may feel like some little unknown, I have had so many experiences in my life lately to remind me that I am not unknown. There is a God in those heavens who knows me perfectly. Even in a world crowded with a population equally numerous to those points of glorious light, He is aware of the individual! Crazy isn't it?</div><div>Then I thought about all of the people in the world who don't know that. What a sad life that must be. When they start thinking that they are an insignificant nothing, they don't snap out of it to the realization of their worth as a soulful creation of a loving Father. It helped me to refocus on my desire to get back out on a mission. So many people are lost and wandering just because nobody has ever told them who they are.</div><div>Man, that was kind of preachy. Oh well, what can I say? Mission not yet complete.</div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-22756118684903151832010-07-01T09:46:00.000-07:002010-07-01T10:49:10.117-07:00OPERATION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TCzU1BHXThI/AAAAAAAAADI/SozOEWNhpBQ/s1600/Operation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/TCzU1BHXThI/AAAAAAAAADI/SozOEWNhpBQ/s400/Operation.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996053155270162" /></a><br />Not just a classic Milton Brothers game. Currently the story of my life. <div>So, here's the story:<div>For those of you who for some reason still don't know, I am not currently in the mission. In fact, I am currently on my couch in Eagar. I've been home for a week last Wednesday. It was all VERY sudden. One day I was out teachin' and preachin' the next President Davis was in my room telling me how he hates to send missionaries home. I said, "Great! So don't." He just smiled and said he appreciated my humor and my desires to serve. Gee thanks. Then he kept talking and I was kind of zoned out not really listening. Then he said, "So, you'll be on a plane either this weekend or sometime Monday" What?! This was on a Thursday. He stood up ad told me that he appreciated my understanding and shook my hand. That's when I started crying...a lot. He ran and got his wife and had her hug me because he couldn't hahaha</div><div>The weekend passed without another word. Then Monday morning came and still nothing. I began to be hopeful that maybe in his packing up his house, he had forgotten me. No such luck. For our P-day on Monday we went to the mission home to give them a going away present from our zone. Still not a word. He and his wife just kept looking at me giving me a sad smile. Nobody in my zone knew except for my companion and my zone leader. As we were leaving to go to the city center for the rest of P-day, he came to shake my hand and said, "I'll be calling you...soon" and I said, "No thank you." He just laughed.</div><div>Well, he called that night and said "Hermana Elmer, you have an interview with me tomorrow at 10am sharp." I said "President, our zone interviews are on Wednesday, tomorrow is only Tuesday." He replied, "That's true, but yours is tomorrow." Great</div><div>As I walked in he began talking again about how he hates to send missionaries home. Then he got right to the point and said, "Well, here are your flight plans. You leave from Arequipa today at 6:30, meaning you need to be at the airport all ready to go at 5:30. From there you will fly to Lima......blah blah blah...and 24 hours later, you will be home in Eagar. I suggest you leave some time in your schedule today to get packed. We are hopeful that you can come back and serve here in the Peru Arequipa mission, but I just can't tell you for sure. You may be reassigned state side to a mission with cars, still Spanish speaking though!" Gee, that's great, thanks.</div><div>I packed and got myself all two blocks over to the airport. My companions and pencionista (lady that cooks our food) and her family and some ward members were there to see me off, along with President and his wife and a couple of office elders. I said my goodbyes and didn't even cry...till I got to the tarmac. I boarded the plane and was still crying. I looked up and everyone was staring at the sobbing gringa with the funny name tag. I took my seat and silently cried. All the way to Lima.</div><div>President was right, 24 hours of planes and airports later I was back in Eagar. This was Wednesday evening. As we pulled into town and drove past the Stake center I said, "Oh, is President Hunt there right now? I'm supposed to talk to him." He was and I did indeed talk to him. He said, "Well, you're released. Do everything those doctors tell you to and we will get you back out there soon..." "Any questions?" Only about a million that I suddenly couldn't think of. "Do I have to take my tag off?" "Yes" "Oh..." "Not right now, you could wait a minute or something"</div><div>I got home and took it off. It hurt. It all hurt. Leaving those amazing families and and missing baptisms. Just dropping everyone and everything within a few hours. All for some stupid operation that I really didn't immediately need. I could still walk, so why was I going home? I even asked President that once as I was begging to stay till the end of the transfer. "Well, if you were MY daughter......"</div><div>So I had said operation yesterday. Clear up until post-op I had been told that this surgery was to fix a torn meniscus in my right knee. Turns out my meniscus was perfect. Instead the doctor did something to realign my knee cap. It was completely to one side and that's what was causing all of the pain and popping and clicking and catching and inflammation. Weird right? This operation doubled my recovery and physical therapy time. 6 weeks was magically turned into 12. I've found in all of this to expect the unexpected, and that I really don't know anything anymore.</div><div>I have learned that I don't see the reasons. I can't keep asking "why" or I will actually just go crazy. Someone knows why. The Lord knows why. I have to trust in Him and His reasons. Maybe someday I'll get to know, maybe not. I'm along for the ride. Entonces, vamos a ver.</div></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-79942987615049198002010-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:41:06.398-07:00Lovin' the New Companion<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well my new companion Hna de Leon is just amazing! This week went super well and we have the most new investigators in our zone. We met so many families this week, just waiting to hear our message. Well, they already heard some of it but they are gonna hear a lot more. One of them is a family of Seventh day Adventists...interesting. The good news is we don´t have to try to convince they to keep the sabbath day holy, just to keep it holy on Sunday. We have a lesson with them tonight...Sabbath day observance. I´ll let you know. Percy received the marvelous gift of the holy ghost yesterday. What and amazing blessing! Their family has a goal of getting to the temple in Cochabamba Bolivia next year :) They´ll make it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, the work continues to press forth and just count my blessings that the Lord is allowing me to be a part of it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Strange Arequipa slang of the week: pata. The word actually means leg. How it´s used around here : Este pata! Ya el es mi pata. Friend, buddy, homies things like that. Strange.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I´m a little short on time today but just know that I love you all and thank you for your emails and prayers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Con amor y cariño </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hermana Anna Elmer</span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-50922956656804133402010-06-08T20:31:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:41:39.891-07:00Drum Roll Please....<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(80, 0, 80); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">To this mission was I called and in this mission shall I remain. Transfers were yesterday and I´m still here in </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Zamacola</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> which means Peru Arequipa mission when it is split in July. I´m so grateful to still be here! Things are going so great! We had to drop Julio.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">But, on a happy note, Percy </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Huaranca</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> is now a baptized member of the true church! </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Yay</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! It was so great! I have never met a more earnest and humble man in all my life. Also, I must tell you about the "</span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Matrimonio</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Massivo</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">" Percy and his now legit wife Juana got married on Saturday in this ceremony...with 107 other couples! Don´t worry, it was just about the strangest thing I have ever witnessed. There was this background music playing the whole time and half of the songs were in Spanish and the others were in English. The ones in English were NOT wedding music. We´re talking Madonna singing Material girl. </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Haha</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Also there was a clown on stilts throwing confetti at the couples. Not on or around the couples, AT. With a vengeance. </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hahahaha</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! So many people showed up to support Percy and his little family on Sunday. They have a goal to get to the temple and I really think they will make it. This is why we have the gospel. Eternal families and the happiness that they bring.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">This other family we know is progressing. They came to church on Sunday! </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Yay</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! That´s such a victory. I don´t know why but trying to get people to church around here is quite the process.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Also, a new investigator, Virginia is doing really well. She referenced herself from Temple square in </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">SLC</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. She is so very interested and came to church on Sunday too!!!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Victory!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, times up. I sure love you all!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer</span></span></span></div></span></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-80657816721288436642010-05-31T20:27:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:35:21.470-07:00What Pineapple?<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358500_2" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Julio Cesar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> didn´t come to sacrament meeting </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358500_3" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sunday. That means he has lost his baptismal date...again. My companion told me he has had 4 others. Unless he has a really good reason for mot being there, we are going to have to drop him. He´s so great and he loves the messages and keeps all of the commitments but just can´t get himself to church. He´s what is referred to as an eternal investigator. Que piña. Speaking of, que piña is a weird slang here. Directly translated is means "what pineapple" the meaning that is transmitted however is, "Well that stinks". Haha crazy Arequipeños!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Percy`s wedding is set for Saturday and his baptism </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358500_4" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">on Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. I worry about him though. He still doesn´t really have any testimony of </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358500_5" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Joseph Smith </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">or the BOM. This is a problem. I asked him why he wanted to get baptized so badly if he didn´t believe those things. He said that his family is in our church and he wants to be with his family. While this is good, it is not enough. We have an appointment with him tonight to review a few things. I guess we`ll see. I´m praying for some serious inspiration.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not sure what happened there but, to finish my email:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We met a new family, believe it or not, through my silly English class! Haha Two young boys and their mom. She is the sister of the 1st counselor of our ward. Thus, she has a pretty good base already, I really think they will progress!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So this time next week I may or may not be in another area. My companion has 3 or 4 transfers here so chances are pretty good that if one of us is to go, it will be her. I guess we´ll see!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, it was brought to my attention last week that after I told ya´ll you could send me emails, I failed to share my address, oops. anna.elmer at</span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://myldsmail.net/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358881_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">myldsmail.net</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Haha I can´t get the "at" key to work on this kayboard...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, I sure love ya!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Con amor!</span></div><div><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1275358881_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hermana</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Anna Elmer</span></div></div><div></div></span></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-38740202328770459202010-05-25T18:25:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:42:14.422-07:00The Story of Julius Caesar and Other Great Tales<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well hello all! Guess what, we set the date to have Julius Caesar baptized (I know,I know, </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">et</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">tu</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Brute?). Anyway he is this great investigator and he has been getting the lessons from the sister missionaries for about 6 months now. The problem, he had to work on Sundays. However, he has a new job now and can come to church! He is so excited and he told us that he feels right. Oh yeah, his name is really Julio Cesar.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh hey, I´</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ve</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> been a missionary for 3 months today! Cool huh?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">To answer your question mom, no I </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">didn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">´t feel any earthquakes lately. Oh yeah, I got a bunch of letters the other day so thank you to all of you amazing people who sent them! I have written most of you back but our zone leaders canceled our plans to go to </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">el</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">centro</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> today so they will have to wait another week to be sent. Sorry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Mom, you asked what I eat. Well the diet </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">hasn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">´t changed much from the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">CCM</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Still insane amounts of rice, chicken, and </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">potatoes</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> of every kind. It´s a good time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">We´re still waiting for Percy to get married, the date is coming up soon! Also, I can´t remember if I ever told you about Johnathan. He´s a new investigator but he´s talked to missionaries before. He´s really funny and always makes strange faces at me. I don´t know if it´s because he can´t understand my </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Spanish</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> or because I´m a white girl. It´s really kind of a problem here. I´</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ve</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> never been whistled at so many times in my life (and that includes living in Mexico!) The other day a man was trying to take my picture on his cell phone. It was really creepy and my companion and I ran away. She told me, "it will be like this for your whole mission" Gee, thanks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Anyway, the work continues to </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">roll</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">forth</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and I feel so blessed everyday to get to be a small part of the miracle.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I sure love ya´ll</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">cariño</span></span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh yeah, I´m going to start teaching an English class this week to try to get investigators to the church. Wish me luck, I don´t have any idea where to start...</span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-53472121601410294772010-05-17T17:32:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:40:37.494-07:00Questions<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(80, 0, 80); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well just another week on the lord´s errand. I love it so much! I wrote down some things that I wanted to be sure to put in this email to ya´ll and then I went and left this list in my room! Yikes. Anyway, I will try to remember what I can. Oh hey, if Percy gets married on Saturday the 5</span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">th</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> he wants to get baptized that night! So, no matter how transfers go, I will still be able to go to his baptism! Yippee! I want to tell you a little bit about my area </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Zamacola</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Zamacola</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> is the part in the middle. There is also Rio </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Seco</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Belaunde</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. If we are in Rio </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Seco</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and have an appointment in </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Belaunde</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, it takes about a 45 minute walk through </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Zamacola</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, up hill. However if we are in </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Belaunde</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and need to get to an appointment in Rio </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Seco</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, it´s a bout a 15 minute walk straight down hill. It´s still pretty toasty during the day for being almost winter but it´s all good. At night everyone asks me if I need a coat because they all think it´s cold. When I tell them no thank you, I´m actually a little warm they look at me like I´m from another planet (as if they don´t all look at me like that anyway...) Other questions that I get asked at least once a day : Are you German? Is your hair natural?(as if I make it look this way on purpose!) How many meters do you have (aka, How tall are you?) And finally Oh you´re from the United States, do you know Michael Jackson? That one is my favorite. </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Haha</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> PS Peru, </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">MJ</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> died.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So we are teaching a woman named Claudia and she is so interested during the lessons then when we come back, it´s like we have to start all over again because she just can´t remember anything we talked about last time. </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Haha</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, it´s a work in progress.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I tried to send pictures but no luck.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Love you all!!!!!! Thank you for the pictures!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con </span></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">amor</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer</span></span></span></div><div> </div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-30372609736909344392010-05-10T18:39:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:45:59.468-07:00Married? Or Not Married? That is the REAL Question<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So this week was great! </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Rayza</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> got baptized on Saturday night and confirmed on Sunday (I´ll try to include some pictures). I got out of talking in church (through no effort on my part) and we had a </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">multizona</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. What is a </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">multizona</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> you might ask. Well, I might answer that </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">multizona</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> = 7 hours of sitting. </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Bleh</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. But during this time of sitting I am also given counsel on how to be a more effective missionary, so I guess it all evens out.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, I got a super great surprise this morning: a bright happy pink package from my wonderful ward! Yippee hooray! Seriously, that was so awesome, thank you to everyone who helped to put that together. Also, I got some </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">dearelders</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Lyndee</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, Ryan and Alicia, you each will be receiving a response shortly. Speaking of letters and responses and all that jazz, turns out that in my mission I can receive and respond to emails from anyone in the whole wide world!!!!...as long as they are not within the mission boundaries of the Peru Arequipa mission. Happy day huh?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, family, it was so wonderful to talk to all of you last night! Thank you for your love and support! I loved hearing all of your voices and hearing all about what´s new in your lives! Remember, pictures make missionaries awfully happy... :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So there´s this investigator, Percy, and he wants to get baptized so badly! (believe me, we want him to get baptized as well) However, as is all too common the problem around here, he has to marry his wife first. I´m not sure where the distinguishing line is for the folks of Latin </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">America</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> but they call people their spouses when they are not actually legally married. I don´t know if it starts when they move in together or when they have their first child but somewhere in they they go from </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">novios</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">esposos</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Anyway, Percy needs to marry his spouse (who is already a member) and then he can get baptized. To get married around here costs an awful lot so they have to wait until there is a mass wedding ceremony on June 5</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">th</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> (the day before transfers). If I get </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">transferred</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, I will miss his baptism by one single day. We will just have to wait in see how it all shakes out.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, I love you all! </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Chao</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">amor</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">,</span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer </span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-78662887697987637172010-05-04T18:29:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:49:29.425-07:00In the Mission Field! Por Fin!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So I am here in my first area! Yippee </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hoorah</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! It´s called </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Zamacola</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and it´s in Arequipa. We´re about 15 minutes from the mission office. My trainer is so great! Her name is </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Jimenez and she has a lot of patience, which I would wager is a requisite to be my companion. All is going swimmingly. She has been in this area for more than 3 months! Crazy. She seriously knows everything! I love her so much, we have fun. We are preparing a young girl named </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Rayza</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> for her baptism on Saturday. She is so excited! I´m not gonna lie, so am I!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, I got some </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">dearelders</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! Yahoo! They were from Deva and </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Rebecca</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Thank you so much, I can´t count how many times I´</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ve</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> read them. Don´t worry, you are both getting real letters back, I just wanted you to know I got them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">This area is really great. My companion always says she´s cold. I don´t get it. I can´t see my breath, I´m not cold. Everyone always asks if I need a sweater.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Sorry this is so lame, I had all kinds of things to talk about but now they are not coming to mind. Oh yeah, in our next transfer, wherever we get </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">transferred</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to will be our mission for the rest of our time. For example, if I get </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">transferred</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to somewhere in the soon to be </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Cusco</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">mission</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, that will be my mission for the rest of my time. If I remain in the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">boundaries</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> of the Arequipa mission, then here I shall stay. All of heard from my companion is how awesome </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Puno</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> (A city in the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Cusco</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> mission) is. She was there for 6 months and LOVED it. I really have no </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">preference</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Where ever I am is where the Lord needs me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, I love you all! Thank you for you support and prayers! </span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">amor</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">,</span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh yeah, I get to call you next Sunday Mom!!!!! Whoop whoop!</span></span></div><div></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-3533084220600131722010-04-23T07:08:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:53:29.872-07:00I Felt the Earth Move Under my Feet!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">No longer just the lyrics to a catchy Carol King song. That´s right, I have experience my first earthquake! Cool huh? It was the middle of the night and I thought one of the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">hermanas</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> was shaking me to wake me up. I rolled over to see who it was, turns out it was our planet! </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Neato</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Then, I learned that we are just at the beginning of "earthquake season" like they have for hurricanes, only less predictable. Oh my goodness, my life is so cool!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So last Saturday ´s </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">proseletismo</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> was so great! At first it was a little </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">bleh</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> because nobody on our list was home or their address </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">didn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">´t actually exist, little things like that. However, by the end of our few hours, we had managed to talk to a grand total of...3 people. On our way back my companion wanted to stop at this little </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">tienda</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to get something for her gnarly blisters. The woman inside finished helping us and my companion turned to me and mouthed "</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">contacto</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">?" I smiled and said "</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">si</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">contacto</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">." We began to talk to this woman about her life and everything. She said that she reads the bible everyday and she just loves the word of god. Perfect. We told her about the Book of Mormon and Christs visit to the Americas. She was so interested and SO ready! Her and her father both said that they would read. They were just so excited to get started. Truly, the field is white! It was such an amazing experience and such a miracle to me. I was able to talk to her and not have to think about verb conjugations or grammar syntax, I just spoke. I think for just a moment the Lord blessed me with the gift of tongues. Actually, he probably blessed the woman we were talking to as well with the interpretation of tongues :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So I have been translating meetings a lot lately. I like it! I can understand a lot more than I can say, that´s for sure.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So this time next week I will be in Arequipa! Yippee </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">hoorah</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! Man, the time is flying! I think it might be a bit bizarre to not see </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Barlow everyday, she´s been with me since Provo. I will for sure miss her, we have a lot of fun together. Speaking of Arequipa, I met my mission president today at lunch. Cool huh? He´s such a happy guy. I think we will get along just fine.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, have I ever told you all of the weird foods I´</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ve</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> had here in the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">CCM</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">? We´</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ve</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> had some </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">doosies</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Por</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ejemplo</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, "</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">pancita</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">" aka cow stomach. Also, I ate octopus the other day. One of the main dishes here is </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">seviche</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> that´s </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">spanish</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> for "whatever crawls out of the ocean", and the list could go on but I´ll stop.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, I just don´t know what else to write ya´ll about. Keep the faith. I sure love you all lots and lots!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Feel free to send pictures just any old time! (hint hint)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con mi </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">amor</span></span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh yeah, pictures!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Some are from Provo time but I have to catch up now that I know how to send them! The first me is being cool like Samuel Smith, the next is me in the token mission map picture, gorgeous flower, this weird </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">poofy</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> plant thing that looks like the one from Horton Hears a Who, and finally, me and my tiny </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">compañera</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Benites</span></span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-87675187883973859892010-04-14T19:11:00.000-07:002010-04-14T19:13:19.057-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z2IJ2hjqI/AAAAAAAAADA/vN6GPPuuHEU/s1600/peru+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z2IJ2hjqI/AAAAAAAAADA/vN6GPPuuHEU/s400/peru+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460181480688946850" /></a>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-3941372142341166772010-04-14T19:09:00.000-07:002010-04-14T19:11:32.970-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z1ouYb29I/AAAAAAAAAC4/ud9LDxcLmD4/s1600/peru+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z1ouYb29I/AAAAAAAAAC4/ud9LDxcLmD4/s400/peru+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460180940739042258" /></a>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-17947062005208275602010-04-14T19:07:00.000-07:002010-04-14T19:09:26.241-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z1PsPKwXI/AAAAAAAAACw/52iKxeViDFY/s1600/peru+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z1PsPKwXI/AAAAAAAAACw/52iKxeViDFY/s400/peru+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460180510666572146" /></a>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-81602480107153302792010-04-14T19:05:00.000-07:002010-04-14T19:07:40.535-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z01pXwZzI/AAAAAAAAACo/l7praTBf0-g/s1600/peru+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Z01pXwZzI/AAAAAAAAACo/l7praTBf0-g/s320/peru+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460180063220688690" /></a>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-70025415050925006102010-04-14T18:51:00.000-07:002010-04-14T19:04:39.485-07:00Peru CCM and Temple Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Zz-cuqmpI/AAAAAAAAACg/CkmadvuRUFQ/s1600/peru+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1SFqrX0sk9E/S8Zz-cuqmpI/AAAAAAAAACg/CkmadvuRUFQ/s320/peru+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460179114934311570" /></a>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-30362536522400985642010-04-14T18:47:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:58:57.951-07:00CCM Time, Ticking Away<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div class="gmail_quote"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ok, let's try this again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, hello! So this week has been interesting. The coordinating sister business is fun. It's like being an EFY counselor for big kids! I love it. My new compañera is so great! She is just this quiet little thing but she has opened up more and more each day. I just love her. She is quite possibly even smaller than Hna Reyes, I wouldn't think that that would be possible. Yesterday we had an "enseñanza"-teaching- with Elder Loli. He's a 70. As if that isn't rough enough, 3 districts were observing. Yikes. It went well though. It made me realize how much I just don't know. Teaching in general and teaching in Spanish especially. I have only 2 more short weeks here then I'm out to el campo! Whoop!</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our zone had an "English fast" yesterday. That was an adventure. No English, puro español. We figured that when it tells us to fast and pray often in the scripture, it doesn't say what kind of fast. It helped me learn a lot of new words for sure! I think that I'm doing ´pretty ok with the Spanish. They have me translate the meetings sometimes. I sit at the back of the chapel and translate for the new North Americans into a microphone and they have </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: medium; ">headsets. It's really fun I like it. Sometimes I get a little lost so I just have to give my best guess...Don't tell my faithful listeners though...</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So today is the no more mail sent to the CCM day. From now on letters should be sent to my mission home address. I gave that to you a few emails past.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here's a random story, yesterday one of the latina sisters was trying to ask her companion the sound that Americans think a chicken makes. Apparently south american chickens sound different or something. I told her companion what she wanted and she said was so confused so I just made the chicken sound. The latina sister thought that that was just about the greatest thing she'd ever heard and had me do it over and over again. Now sometimes missionaries will just come up and ask me for farm animal noises. I don't get it.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well I love the work and I am so excited for another proseletismo this Saturday! We've only gone that one time. I will be sure to tell you how it goes! Hopefully something like D&amp;C 112:19 :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I sure love ya'll!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hermana Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh PS, if any of you have sent me Dearelders, I will not get them until I got out to my mission home, I promise I'm not ignoring you!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Picture are working! Yippee Hoorah! There´s one of a groups of us sisters at the temple, one of my district, one of me in my official P-day shirt, the nutcracker one, and my new comp. (Thank you Wendy, Megan and Karen)</span></span></div></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-8379849462555474252010-04-07T17:37:00.000-07:002010-08-14T01:03:45.160-07:00The Lord Is My Light, Then Why Should I Fear?<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I´ve had that song stuck in my head all week and it seems appropriate. Wow, the people of Perú are ready for this gospel. Last Saturday we had this thing called proseletismo. We got to go out and teach, for reals! We were trying to reactivate less active and in-active members. Every single one we got to said that they would attend last Sunday! Yippee hoorah! Also, while we were out and about my companion and I were able to get contacts for the missionaries in the field of that mission. They were just so willing to accept the message of the restored gospel. They tell us all the time that the hearts are prepared but it was amazing to me to actually see it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Also, it was a very sobering experience. Some people here have so very little, we got to one "house" and I was fighting back tears. I know that the gospel can improve lives and make life more joyful. It can't get these people out of their circumstances but it can help them to know that it's not all about this life. It can give them the stregnth and resolution to "endure to the end". Isn't that what we all need? Ah! I just love this all so much!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh yeah, I'm going to try to send pictures this week but I don't know how successful it will be...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, fun story. Apparently I have bronchitis. Who knew. I have this gnarly cough hat makes me sound like a barking dog. It's really quite lovely. They gave me some no name mystery pills and said if your not better in a week, come see us again. :) Haha</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So I want to share with you 2 things. One, a scripture that I came across and loved Psalms 61:2. Two, my Spanish blunder of the week. We were in an enseñanza "teaching" and my comp and I were being the investigators for some other missionaries. I was asking them about tithing and what it was for. I was trying to say "Do you pay your bishop? I know a lot of churches pay their leaders." I confused the verb pagar-to pay with the verb pegar-to hit. I was asking these poor elders if they hit their bishop. I didn't even notice my error until my companion broke into fits of laughter. Oops.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Mom, thank you so much for you e-mails! I love them so much. Thank you for your example of service! You are amazing to me. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">In the package I could for sure use more knee highs just regular skin color. I go through them pretty fast... And an emphasized reminder to not send it here to the CCM! Mission home would be just fine though. :) Tell the ward members thank you for their thoughtfulness!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I lose my little hermanita this next week! Then I will have a new one for my last 3 weeks. I love Hermana Reyes just oh so much!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh yeah, letters, as in in an envelope, take about 9 days to get here and dearelders kind of just come whenever...just a thought :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Sorry this email is so scattered! Just know that I love you all and am grateful for you everyday! "May the lord bless you and keep you"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">With all my love!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">PS, technology hates me and for this reason, the pictures were a failure...</span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-15330062567351194072010-04-07T17:23:00.000-07:002010-08-14T01:07:24.363-07:00More Than A Feelin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hola!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Bueno. Thank you so much to everyone for your emails! Uncle Mitch, your Spanish is outstanding! And thank you to Lyndee for the letter! Don't worry, you will get a legit response, I just wanted you to know I got it... So this has been quite a week. On Friday Hermana Whetten, the CCM president's wife, made me go to the doctor again. He decided that after two separate rounds of antibiotic that there was not longer an infection just a nasty cough. He told me I had a "bronco spasm" and gave me an inhaler. I found it funny that he should call me a spaz then have me carry around an inhaler to prove it. But, It did something right because my cough is practically gone! Yippee Hooray!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">We didn't get to do proseletismos this Saturday because it was conference. A fair trade off. I love conference!!!!!!! Holy smokes, what a great 2 days. Each talk made me more and more grateful for 2 things. 1, that I am not raising a family right now, yikes, sounds like a tough business. And 2, that I have such wonderful parents! Ok, this cool thing happened during the conference. During one of the prayers, a brother was asking that the lord bless those in the armed forces and also...the missionaries. Not so uncommon right? But then, as he said it, I could feel it. I've heard missionaries say before "thanks for your prayers, I can feel them" But I had never experienced that before. It was amazing. So, echoing all missionaries I would like to say: Thank you for your prayers, I can feel them :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So this is new. I'm the "coordinating sister" That's like the zone leader for the Hermanas. Yikes. Also, for the next 3 weeks my district and the other North American district are the antiguos-the ancients. The district that was here 3 weeks before us left this morning and we are now the old district for the new district that will arrive tonight. Did that make any sense? Oh well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I think that just about covers it. Thank you for your continued love and support! Share this gospel with everyone! Help your local missionaries. There can be no greater work in this life then helping to bring souls to our Savior. I beg you all to never become complacent about this gospel. You have it, they need it. Don't ever be afraid to share it. "shall we not go on in so great a cause? Courage brethren; and on, on to victory!" D&amp;C 128...somewhere.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Con amor</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Once again, no pictures this week, because I am technologically challenged.</span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-79337264276409722772010-03-24T18:37:00.000-07:002010-08-14T01:11:58.331-07:00Peruvian CCM Week One, and All's Well<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Dear Everyone!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So hello! I am loving my time here at the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">CCM</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. My companion is so so great! It's sad I lose her in two weeks. Then I will get a new Latina for my last 3 weeks here. This place is seriously SO funny! "Seriously funny" what an odd phrase. Anyway, everything is great! The </span></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269474317_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">language barrier</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> always proves to be inserting but in a comical way. The other night at dinner, one of the other sisters was trying to ask her companion if she gets hungry at night and in Spanish, you say that you have hunger not that you are hungry. Anyway, this poor sister confused the word "</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">hambre</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"-hunger for "hombre"-man. She kept asking her companion if she has a lot of men at night. I was laughing so hard I couldn't sufficiently translate for either of them! Things like that happen all of the time! I love it. I am now the official translator for my district. The teachers will be talking and then they will stop, look at the puzzlement on my fellow missionary's faces, the turn to me and tell me to tell them what we are supposed to be doing. It's an adventure. I'm not 100 percent sure about some of my translations but the teachers just nod and smile in agreement to whatever I say. I could get into trouble with that if I'm not careful.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I love the Latino missionaries! They are all so sweet! I told one of them that I liked his tie and he started taking it off to give to me! They are such sweet people. My companion is SO tiny! I just want to pick her up and squeeze her all the time, but I figure that is probably some kind of social no-no so I restrain myself. I find myself patting her head a lot though. I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm bonkers. Sometimes I make up my own words in Spanish and she laughs then corrects me. We have a good time.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So, the gift of tongues is a real thing and I can testify of its reality! Communication is coming so quickly. The elders in my district are all learning very quickly as well! Oh, I love my district here! We are all lost together. Oh, Taylor Brown is in my district! It's so </span></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269474317_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">fun! People</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> always ask us if we know each other when we both say we're from </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Eagar</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. Apparently none of them have ever seen the size of </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Eagar</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">...</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So, funny story, my </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">compañera</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> was asking me how to say different things in English the other day. She asked me "What is 'freaking'?" I told her that it's not very proper English and that only teenagers with poor vocabularies use it. Then she asked if it was bad or when to use it. I told to just not say it at all because it's not a very good word. Then she said " Oh, like -insert s word here-?" I was so taken aback by this! I said no, don't EVER use that word! Then later, when she couldn't see me, I was laughing about it. It's kind of funny what </span></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269474317_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">English words</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> and phrases some of them know.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Mom, thanks for the pictures! They got to me just in time! I'm glad to see you got my package! Well, I love you all!!!!!</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Love you eternally!</span></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Anna Elmer</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, PS</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, today I have been a missionary for 1 month! My companion sang me a </span></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269474317_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">happy birthday song</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> about it :D</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">PPS, Mom, are you checking my spelling and punctuation on these things before you post them to the blog? I have to type really quickly due to time constraints.</span></span></div><div></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-54309672316614734932010-03-14T14:45:00.000-07:002010-08-14T01:16:44.020-07:00Last Week of Provo<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hello!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So time continues to soar by here! What everyone says is so true. The days take forever, but the weeks are so short. It's like I'm in the twilight zone or something! I leave here on Wednesday mornig at 6 am! Our flight actually leaves SLC at 9:45? 9:30? Aw heck, I just don't remember. I'm crazy excited to go though! It is going to be a 13 hour flight straight through. And I can't listen to the music or watch the movies. Long, long flight.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I will miss the amazing devotionals and firesides here. They always have awesome speakers. This week it was Elder Hafen of the 70. His talk was just for me I swear it's true...except that's what every single missionary has said about it...haha. Oh, I have been singing in the MTC choir and the choir director sounds just like the Professor Harold Hill from The Music Man! It's hilarious. I love it when he uses phrases like "I should say." It's the best.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So while being here I have known 2 missionaries who have lost a loved one since they've been in the MTC. I have reached the conclusion that if you have to recieve news like that, this is the very place to get it. It's amazing what the Spirit can do for us when we just try to live our very best so He can be a constant influence in our lives.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">My conpaionships are going well. Hermana Barlow and I have so much fun all the time! Hermana Schnebly is just so very quiet. She is an individual that has to be addressed before she will speak. I should probably be more like that. I love my companions. They keep my on track and on schedule. I think there might be something about this place that brings out the ADD in me. I have never had such a hard time trying to focus in my life! It's crazy!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Speaking of crazy and being off topic, I got my hair cut yesterday. It's pretty great! ...I guess that's all I have to say about that...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I don't kow when my P-Day will be in Peru but I'm sure you'll figure it out when you get an email from me. Oh yeah, Mom I got the package you sent! Yippee hoorah!!! Thank you so very much! I wioll be sending one right back atcha before I leave.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So how was Stockton's b-day? I can't believe he's so old! Geez, i think that him being 6 make me amost 100. My math might be a little off on that one.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I want to tell you very briefly about my district. I have the very funniest group of Elders known to man! They are all so hilarious but in completely different ways. One of them, Elder Price, reminds me a lot of Tanner. He may or may not be my favorite...ok ok, he is. Speaking of Tanner, now also of Bryan, I haven't recieved their weekly e-mail forwards. Mom, if you could arrange that somehow, that would be marvelous! What was I talking about...oh yeah, my district! Elder Price's comp is Elder Tew. He is kind of a can do funny voices and make crazy facial expressions funny. Elder Paustenbaugh can do impressions really well and they are so great! His Companion is Elder Pinther, our district leader. Elder Pinther doesn't make to many jokes but his reactions to joke are what crack me up. He just really enjoys a good long laugh. Finally it's Elder Jackson and Elder Jarmen. Elder Jackson makes jokes but you have to really be listening or you miss them. It's a pretty dry sense of humor and he was really quiet that first week so I thought he was very serious. Turn's out he's one of my favorites too. His companion Elder Jarmen is still very quiet but he is kind of sneaky funny. He left us Hermanas a message on the white board from Pres Smith (MTC president) telling us that because Peru had been selected as the new location for a school of whichcraft and wizardry, we were being reassigned. Hermana Schnebly, From Mesa, was going to the Mesa, Arizona mission, Click speaking. Hermana Barlow, from Sandy was going to the SLC south mission "Canadian" speaking and I was reassigned to mars, Mongolian speaking. That will be fun.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I love you all immensly!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana Elmer</span></span></div></span>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-77201057536637417112010-03-04T14:34:00.000-08:002010-08-14T01:23:27.692-07:00MTC!!!!! I'm Actually Here!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hello All! </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So getting the e-mail to work for me was a bit tricky but I finally got it! Yippee Hoorah! This first week was a real doosie! Man alive it was just crazy busy and full of ups and downs. Some ups? Well I have been assigned to the greatest compaion in all the land! Her name is Hermana Morgan Borlow and she's from Sandy Ut. She's a real sweetheart. Some times when she say really Utah-like things she remindes me of Amber Burnham...Hunt. Anyway, she is magnificent and I love her. Spanish is going very very well. On one of the first days, Hermana Barlow and I were having language practice. Two of the elders from our district wandered over and started practicing with us. One of these elders, Elder Price from Pocatello, said, "Hermana, I know why you're here. You're here to help me." I laughed about that for a while. I have two teachers here at the MTC. One is brother Chandler (who served in the same mission as Kyle Cluff, he told me when he heard "Eagar, Az") and the other is Hermano Jimenez. He's from Mexico. He is super great! Anyway, as I was tlaking with President Dickerson on Sunday, he told me, "After talking with your teachers they told me if you were here for more than just the three weeks they would have moved you up to an intermediate class. Heck, maybe you'll get to Peru and they'll just send you right out!" That terrified me! My Spanish is barely kind of alright, not ready to be sent right out! Oh, also, President Dickerson is quite possibly one of the most amazing individuals I have ever come to know. So, interesting story...maybe not actually a story, but kind of. The saying around here is, "if you make it through Sunday night, you'll make it the 2 years (or 18 months)." Well, I have discovered that is true. Origionally in our district there were 4 sisters. Hermana Barlow, Hermana Schnebly (nobody seems to be able to say her name right), Hermana Andrews and myself. The Hermanas Schnebly and Andrews were companions. Hermana Andrews, unfortunately, left us at 9 o'clock Sunday night. Geez, that makes it sound like she died. She didn't die, she went home. It was a pretty big blow to our little district. Even only having been together 4 days at that point, we had gone through what seemed like an aweful lot together. It was really sad and kind of scary to see her leave. It made me feel really afraid that the same thing might happen to me or my companion. However, we are both just holding strong and loving it all! Now Hermana Schnebly (who is from Mesa, Az by the way!) are a three some. The MTC continues to be a source of wonderment to me. The elders in our district are all great fellows. Sometimes they might forget that the are representatives of the Lord and act like, well, 19 year old boys. However, for the most part they are very wonderful, obedient elders and I am greatful for the comedic relief that they bring into my life. I never go through a class or a meal without laughing a whole lot. Oh yeah, mom, a few things, thank you SO so so much for the Dearelders! I love getting anything in the mail! Also, the elders are having a competition in which they get points for various forms of mail. I think it's 2 points for an actual letter not from family, one point if it's from family or if it's a dear elder not from family and a half point if it's a dearelder from family. I thank you for boosting my score! PS, packages are worth a whole lot! (hint hint) Speaking of, could you please send me pictures!!!!!! I would absolutely love that! Also, mom if you could get into my gmail with the information I sent home with dad and foreward Tanner and Bryan's e-mails on to me that would be super! So Bryan was the first one to write me a letter and he was the only person on my People I'm Super Happy with list. But now the list is a little longer. Well, the time is a tickin down so I must be off! This thing actually kicks you off! Anyway, I need to go do laundry. Oh yeah, I saw all of the Round Valley people here as well as an EFY boy and Robin! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I sure love you all lots! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hermana Elmer</span></span></span></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944501533452422532.post-50454307899957931732010-02-18T23:11:00.000-08:002010-02-18T23:30:21.667-08:00Mission Addresses (Please note, they are subject to change...)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">Provo MTC (I'll be there 3 weeks)<br />Sister Anna Marie Elmer<br />Peru Arequipa Mission<br />Provo MTC<br />2005 N 900 E<br />Provo, UT 84604<br /><br />Peru MTC (6 additional weeks to Provo time) Also, no packages can be sent to the Peru MTC...<br />Hermana Anna Marie Elmer<br />Peru MTC<br />Centro de Capacitacion Missional<br />Melgarejo159<br />La Molina<br />Amazonas 12<br />Peru<br /><br />Mission Address: This is pouch mail, just so you know. Pouch rules apply.<br />Sister Anna Marie Elmer<br />Peru Arequipa Misson<br />POB 30150<br />Salt Lake City, Ut 84130-0150<br />USA<br /><br />Mission Package Address: aka Mission Office<br />Sister Anna Marie Elmer<br />Peru Arequipa Mission<br />Edificio El Pera<br />Avenida El Ejercito 710, Oficina 7031<br />Cayma Arequipa<br />PERU</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">I would love to read anything you might feel like sending me :) Also, this is the time I will use for my shameless plug for dearelder.com Because I'm serving in a "pouch" mission, they ask that you use the pouch mail services. If I am going to be completely honest, the pouch rules stink and are a real pain in the fanny. Dearelder.com is free and you don't have to bother with the pouch rules. That was my commercial for this wonderful service that I have been known to use myself on occasion. The only down side of dearelder? You can't draw pictures or doodle in the margins. Sad. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">On a very happy note,I am so crazy excited to be set apart tomorrow night and the to head north to Utahland on Saturday! Also, assume that I do not have your address. Include it in your first letter to me so that I might write you back (hint, hint) I look forward to your letters! (great big giant hint) Well, I'll catch ya on the flip side! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">Much love, and aw heck, one final hug,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">(Almost) Hermana Anna Elmer :D</span></div>Anna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069326100877819526noreply@blogger.com0